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Original poster

Rectal cancer

64 replies

Cocopops555 · 16/02/2023 20:40

Hi just starting a new thread. Been diagnosed yesterday via a colonoscopy.
Just looking to see if anyone has any experience of this. I know everyone says stay off Google but convinced myself it’s already spread as been experiencing pelvic pain on and off. I’ve got a MRI tomorrow and CT next week. I know I have to take step at a time. I feel like I’m dreaming and I’ll wake up. Many thanks for reading.

OP posts:
Inastatus · 16/02/2023 20:43

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Good luck with your scans, I really hope you get some positive news regarding treatment.

Original poster
Cocopops555 · 16/02/2023 21:20

Thank you

OP posts:
Nongatron · 16/02/2023 21:24

Hi @Cocopops555 there’s a very long running thread here in general health which is for people waiting for diagnosis and or tests and in treatment for all kinds of cancer I recommend it it’s a great support. Everyone on that thread is very helpful and knowledgeable.
Waiting to know results and waiting to know what kind of treatment you will have is in my humble opinion the worst stage. I’ve been through cancer twice and lived to tell the tale
wishing you all the luck with your treatment x

Iwishmynamewassheilah · 16/02/2023 21:26

Have a look at Bowel cancer uk website. Full of good info and support.

silverclock222 · 16/02/2023 21:29

Hi I have had it twice which is rather unlucky however I also have Crohns which might have something to do with that. 28 sessions of radiotherapy and one iv chemo then chemo in tablet form. Off work 3 months, First month due to treatment, second month due to exhaustion after an intense month and third month building up my strength. What age are you?

Original poster
Cocopops555 · 16/02/2023 21:44

silverclock222 · 16/02/2023 21:29

Hi I have had it twice which is rather unlucky however I also have Crohns which might have something to do with that. 28 sessions of radiotherapy and one iv chemo then chemo in tablet form. Off work 3 months, First month due to treatment, second month due to exhaustion after an intense month and third month building up my strength. What age are you?

Many thanks for replying. I’m 51 52 next month. How did yours get diagnosed? What symptoms did you have?

OP posts:
silverclock222 · 16/02/2023 22:07

I had bleeding and discomfort but it took them ages to listen to me. The reason I was asking age was because my radiotherapy put me into early menopause so didn't want to say in case you were looking to start/increase your family.All in all the treatment was fine. It was after it I had more issues, fecal incontinence for a few weeks (I just used adult 'diapers' from Tesco) but that got better quite quickly. Apart from that, vaginal and anal canal narrowing were my issues. Make sure you use the dilators as instructed. They told me I would lose all my hair - which I did but only from the neck down and a tiny bit from round my hairline. I sound a bit blase about it all but honestly it wasn't that bad.

ThelmaDinkley · 16/02/2023 23:32

Hi OP just been through this with DH. He’s just had surgery to remove large bowel and rectum and anus. Not going to lie it’s been tough but he got through chemo and radiotherapy and now the operation. He’s just been told all the cancer has gone and will not need any further treatment. He will have check ups but fingers crossed the treatment has worked. Good luck and any questions please pm me and I will try my best to help. x

Original poster
Cocopops555 · 17/02/2023 06:49

ThelmaDinkley · 16/02/2023 23:32

Hi OP just been through this with DH. He’s just had surgery to remove large bowel and rectum and anus. Not going to lie it’s been tough but he got through chemo and radiotherapy and now the operation. He’s just been told all the cancer has gone and will not need any further treatment. He will have check ups but fingers crossed the treatment has worked. Good luck and any questions please pm me and I will try my best to help. x

Many thanks for replying. I’ve got an mri scan this morning which I hate nearly panicked last time I had one.

OP posts:
automaticallygenerated · 17/02/2023 13:50

I’m so very sorry to hear about your diagnosis @Cocopops555. I followed along on the other thread because I too had to have a colonoscopy on the two week cancer pathway due to a failed Fiit test. Yours was just before mine and like you I was utterly terrified. I totally identified with you having your blood pressure shoot up too because I suffer terribly with ‘white coat syndrome’. Luckily for me my procedure identified a polyp which was removed and benign but the whole process was draining and I’m still thinking what might have been and what could happen in future.

I will be thinking of you and sending you so many positive vibes for your MRI scan today and whatever comes next. I think the worst part will be the unknown and once you get a plan in place you can focus on what you need to do. The clinicians will support you so well and with the strength of a loving family and the wealth of fantastic knowledge and support available here I hope you will find the strength to get you through this. Try to hold on to the fact that colorectal cancer seems to be one of the more treatable cancers. I personally know two ladies who had it in their 40s and are now both in their late 80s. There are so many similar positive stories here too.

💐💐💐

Ilovealido · 17/02/2023 14:00

OP I saw your other thread but didn’t have a chance to reply. Like you I was one of the unlucky ones. I was diagnosed at age 42 with a tumour in my colon via a colonoscopy. Unfortunately for me they found the cancer had spread & I had mets in my liver and ovaries. However after A LOT of treatment I am now clear of cancer & I never thought I’d get here. I was told my cancer was basically incurable at one point & that I would be on treatment for life. So even in the worst case, if it has spread there is so much treatment available nowadays & it hugely depends on your response. There is a lot of support available through Bowel Cancer UK. Also feel free to pm me.

Original poster
Cocopops555 · 17/02/2023 14:02

automaticallygenerated · 17/02/2023 13:50

I’m so very sorry to hear about your diagnosis @Cocopops555. I followed along on the other thread because I too had to have a colonoscopy on the two week cancer pathway due to a failed Fiit test. Yours was just before mine and like you I was utterly terrified. I totally identified with you having your blood pressure shoot up too because I suffer terribly with ‘white coat syndrome’. Luckily for me my procedure identified a polyp which was removed and benign but the whole process was draining and I’m still thinking what might have been and what could happen in future.

I will be thinking of you and sending you so many positive vibes for your MRI scan today and whatever comes next. I think the worst part will be the unknown and once you get a plan in place you can focus on what you need to do. The clinicians will support you so well and with the strength of a loving family and the wealth of fantastic knowledge and support available here I hope you will find the strength to get you through this. Try to hold on to the fact that colorectal cancer seems to be one of the more treatable cancers. I personally know two ladies who had it in their 40s and are now both in their late 80s. There are so many similar positive stories here too.

💐💐💐

Thank you so much. Managed to do mri and ct scans this morning so I’m on the journey. Think I’m suffering from shock telling my 2 teenage girls and my 83 year old mum was so hard. Thanks for taking the time to replyZ

OP posts:
Original poster
Cocopops555 · 17/02/2023 14:09

Thanks so much for thinking of me and giving me hope with such a positive story.
Had MRI and CT This morning so on the journey. Still in shock and trying to process it.

OP posts:
automaticallygenerated · 17/02/2023 14:10

You’re so welcome. I’m glad you managed the scans today. You have to take it one step at a time but I can well imagine how overwhelming and all consuming it is. Everyone will adjust, given time, and they will all want to focus on supporting you. This is where all the cliches come out - not least you don’t know how strong you really are until you have to be. Please continue to update us - if you feel comfortable in doing that of course. I for one would like to continue to offer you my support and I will be thinking of you.

Ilovealido · 17/02/2023 14:18

It’s a huge shock coco pops. Nothing can you prepare you for it. It’s like entering a parallel universe & you just can’t understand why it’s happening to you. I’m still not sure I’ve come to terms with it all & my diagnosis was 2 years ago. The way I got through it was just to take it day by day & get through each day. I never really embraced the cancer side of my identity to be honest, I carried on being me & did my usual activities (as much as possible). One thing I would say is that there’s a lot of cancer specific support out there but it can feel overwhelming & connecting with other people with cancer can be a both a positive & a negative. You need to feel ready for it & be in the right headspace. Just take your time. Macmillan referred me for some excellent counselling through Bupa. Good luck & people are always here if you need them.

l81 · 18/02/2023 17:10

Hi coccopops555

i am in the same position as yourself had colonoscopy on wed and was told it was 99% so waiting on ct scan and mri scan x

Original poster
Cocopops555 · 18/02/2023 17:36

l81 · 18/02/2023 17:10

Hi coccopops555

i am in the same position as yourself had colonoscopy on wed and was told it was 99% so waiting on ct scan and mri scan x

So sorry to hear that. How are you doing?

OP posts:
Original poster
Cocopops555 · 18/02/2023 17:40

Ilovealido · 17/02/2023 14:18

It’s a huge shock coco pops. Nothing can you prepare you for it. It’s like entering a parallel universe & you just can’t understand why it’s happening to you. I’m still not sure I’ve come to terms with it all & my diagnosis was 2 years ago. The way I got through it was just to take it day by day & get through each day. I never really embraced the cancer side of my identity to be honest, I carried on being me & did my usual activities (as much as possible). One thing I would say is that there’s a lot of cancer specific support out there but it can feel overwhelming & connecting with other people with cancer can be a both a positive & a negative. You need to feel ready for it & be in the right headspace. Just take your time. Macmillan referred me for some excellent counselling through Bupa. Good luck & people are always here if you need them.

I fully understand what you say about living in a parallel universe. I feel like I’m living a dream and will wake up.
It’s all very overwhelming, people want to be there but I haven’t processed it myself yet.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cocopops555 · 18/02/2023 17:41

l81 · 18/02/2023 17:10

Hi coccopops555

i am in the same position as yourself had colonoscopy on wed and was told it was 99% so waiting on ct scan and mri scan x

I got contacted the next day with appointments so was very lucky.

OP posts:
l81 · 18/02/2023 18:00

im in shock one minute feel ok then nxt I’m not and thinking the worst how r u feeling x

Original poster
Cocopops555 · 18/02/2023 18:26

l81 · 18/02/2023 18:00

im in shock one minute feel ok then nxt I’m not and thinking the worst how r u feeling x

Been poorly on top with ear infection so not been great. Keep getting odd pains and thinking it’s spread already. I’m a born worrier.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cocopops555 · 18/02/2023 18:27

Cocopops555 · 18/02/2023 18:26

Been poorly on top with ear infection so not been great. Keep getting odd pains and thinking it’s spread already. I’m a born worrier.

Show quote history

How old are you And what symptoms did you have to go for a colonoscopy if you don’t mind me asking?

OP posts:
Candlesamdyoga · 18/02/2023 18:33

My mum had it - just had her 5 years clear
She had chemo on tablet form and radio treatments and had the same surgery as the PP's DH. She has a stoma but is doing well and fully embracing life.

l81 · 18/02/2023 18:35

I’m 41 I had change of bowel movements never out the toilet blood in stools and also just passing blood without bowel movement and always had a pressure feeling and feeling tired and stomach cramps how old r u? What where your symptoms?

Original poster
Cocopops555 · 18/02/2023 18:58

I’m nearly 52. Always had irritable bowel since teen. Last few years been more constipated but nothing much. Just saw small spot off blood at beg of January. Since then seen to have almost pelvic pain.

OP posts: